Over the past three years, the National Service Inclusion Project team has become acquainted with many dedicated and tireless people from the national and community service world. Several individuals offered their stories and described their community service experiences during one of the project’s teleconferences this year. This particular call was, in my opinion, the most enlightening one we conducted.

Emmanuel Jenkins has volunteered for eight years and is currently spending a second term as an AmeriCorps member. His primary reason for participation is to “help people.” Emmanuel started volunteering with children when he was only 11 years old. He ran two computer labs for the Boys and Girls Club and ran a program called Peek into the Future, which taught students how to set and attain life goals. As a junior staff member, he assisted with a program called Family Day and he tutored children in math. Emmanuel talks about the importance of encouraging his pupils by always telling them, “You can do that because a winner never stops trying.” He describes his greatest success as being when children thank him for the motivation to “keep on going.”

“The value of a child is priceless. If I could teach that child something to become a better person in America, in society, then I don’t care who I work for,” Emmanuel comments on his work with youngsters. He continues with his observations on volunteering: “You can’t pay me that. So that’s why I did it.” His remarks embody the genuine principles of service and inspire all who know him.

Emmanuel talks about one of his first memorable experiences in service. Children would wonder about him. He goes on to describe how some questioned, “Why are you in a wheelchair, why do you use that?” Emmanuel explains that he was letting them know who he was and, no matter what, “you can still contribute to your country.”

Emmanuel talks about unreliable and tardy transportation as one of the biggest obstacles. However, he did mention that most of the time friends would pass the waiting time with him. Emmanuel also requested that notices of cancelled training or related events be made well in advance due to the complicated travel plans that might be necessary for some members.

He recommends that we learn as much as we can about accessibility and accommodations to eliminate the barriers. “It’s better to know more than not enough so we can learn to prevent barriers” as he related an experience of a friend who was able to enter a program but not able to serve because of inaccessible activities.

Emmanuel concludes, “The more I know, the more I can share and open more doors for people.” If you ever have the good fortune to meet Emmanuel, you will be surprised by his youth. We typically do not attribute such insightful advice and demonstrable leadership qualities to a man so young. We should continue to keep track of Emmanuel’s contributions. Considering what he has accomplished in his teenage years, Emmanuel will most certainly serve as a highly regarded leader into his adult years.

For a full transcript of this teleconference describing the experiences of AmeriCorps members with disabilities, please visit the National Service Inclusion Project’s teleconference transcripts web page.